The Campaign for the Historic Trades is the philanthropic partner of the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC). Through this partnership, The Campaign would like to highlight some opportunities for young adults to join HPTC’s Aspiring Preservationists Programs.
Are you looking for an internship for this spring/summer? Do you like working with your hands? How about preserving old structures? Would you like to work with trained professionals in the National Park Service?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you sound like a candidate for the NPS Aspiring Preservationist Programs! These programs are great to start your career in historic preservation. Read more to learn which program best suits your experience and interest.
Traditional Trades Advancement Program
This is an introductory program for historic trades training at NPS sites across the country. Trainees work one-on-one with NPS staff and learning is project-and site-based.
Level of experience: None required!
Location: NPS sites across the country
Length of term: 20+ weeks
Requirements:
- 18-30 years of age, maximum 35 years old for Veterans with valid DD-214
- United States citizen or legal resident
- Full vaccination against COVID-19 by the first day of employment and ability to provide proof of vaccination before (with exemptions)
- Basic Criminal Background Check
- Transportation to internship location
- Moderate to heavy physical effort is required for this position, including, lifting, or handling of objects over 50lbs using proper techniques
- Standing or kneeling for long periods and will be required to climb ladders, work from scaffolding or platforms, work on uneven or angled surfaces such as a roof, and/or be able to work in confined spaces
Benefits:
$18/hour
Opportunity to learn from master tradespeople
Receive non-competitive hiring status into the National Park Service
Want to learn more about TTAP? Read about Ben & Emma’s experience here.
Historic Stewards
This is an experience-preferred program for people pursuing historic preservation and trades careers. Participants work with the Carpentry, Woodcrafting, And Masonry Section Teams at the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC).
Level of experience: Some preferred.
Location: Frederick, MD and HPTC regional centers with project-based travel
Length of term: 12-26+ weeks
Requirements:
- 18-30 years of age, maximum 35 years old for Veterans with valid DD-214
- United States citizen or legal resident
- Full vaccination against COVID-19 by the first day of employment and ability to provide proof of vaccination before
- Moderate to heavy physical effort, able to lift 75lbs
- Able to stand or kneel, climb ladders, work from scaffolding or platforms, work on roofs, and/or work in confined spaces
- Able to stoop, bend, kneel, climb and walk in all manners of environmental conditions such as rain, mud, and extreme heat or cold
- Personal transportation will be required to report to job site
Benefits:
- $18/hour with overtime
- Work with premier preservation teams at the HPTC, focused on carpentry, woodcrafting, or masonry
- Receive non-competitive hiring status into the National Park Service
Build Up Technical Internship
This is a current student and recent graduate internship for technical roles on preservation projects with the Parks Planning, Facilities, and Lands Directorate.
Level of experience: Some preferred.
Location: Varies, some remote positions available
Length of term: 11 weeks – 1 year
Requirements:
- Undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates (>2 years post-graduation) in related fields:
- Engineering, architecture, community planning, realty services, project management, social sciences, geographic information systems, publication services, and more
- United States citizen or legal resident
- Criminal Background Check
- Full vaccination against COVID-19 by the first day of employment and ability to provide proof of vaccination before
- If remote, personal technology to perform job functions
Benefits:
$18+/hour with overtime
Work with premier park planning, facilities, and lands NPS employees completing large-scale complex projects of high impact
Receive non-competitive hiring status through the Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority or potentially Direct Hiring Authority into the National Park Service
Interested in applying? Check out an interactive map for open positions:
https://historictrades.org/opportunities/category/national-park-service/
For More information, you can also join one of our Zoom events where you can learn more about OPPORTUNITIES